GROVE CITY, Pa. – Coming off a record-setting 2025 season that featured a Presidents' Athletic Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament, the Grove City College baseball team enters 2026 with several key returnees, along with a number of vacancies in the lineup and on the pitching staff.

Now in his 11th season as skipper, head coach Matt Royer welcomes back four All-Conference selections, along with several other veterans who are competing for full-time roles this season.

Senior first baseman Colin Marinpetro (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) and sophomore shortstop Sam Meredith (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) return in the infield after both earning conference honors in 2025.

Marinpetro earned the league's Player of the Year award and Second Team All-Region recognition last year after hitting .409 and driving in 45 runs. He belted a team-record 67 hits last year while also boasting a .522 on-base percentage. The 6-foot-5 lefty is expected to be a key bat in the middle of the lineup again in 2026.

Meredith captured the conference's Newcomer of the Year last year after earning the starting shortstop job at the start of the season. Meredith hit .339 as a rookie, earning Second Team All-PAC honors.

Meredith will be flanked by new full-time starters on both sides in the infield. At second base, senior Raymond Stierer (Sewickley, Pa./Eden Christian) and sophomore Kallen Durbin (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley) are among the veteran candidates.

Stierer has played in 23 games over his first three seasons in the middle of the infield. He also made three pitching appearances in relief last year. Durbin hit .297 last year in 19 starts, primarily as the Wolverines' designated hitter. The left-handed hitting Durbin is also a candidate to handle DH duties.

Junior catcher Adam Weber (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) could also see time at second base when not behind the plate. Weber is a two-year letterwinner for Grove City.

At third base, junior Treyton Sarvis (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) has made 14 starts over his first two seasons and aims to secure a full-time starting assignment on the left side of the infield.

Junior Gabe Gorman (Medina, Ohio/Medina), another third-year member of the program, will also battle for a spot in the infield mix.

Weber has the inside track to take over as the primary catcher after splitting time in his first two seasons. A number of newcomers are battling for the No. 2 backstop position, according to Royer.

Senior Nick Sampson (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) returns for his fourth season as Grove City's starting center fielder. A standout defender, Sampson earned a spot on the American Baseball Coaches Association All-Defensive Team in Region VII following 2025.

Sampson also earned Second Team All-PAC as a junior. He scored a program-record 53 runs last year and ranks fourth in program history with 119 career runs scored.

Several men are in contention for the corner outfield positions. Senior Trey Wagner (Mars, Pa./Mars) has made 15 career starts while playing extensively as a defensive replacement during his first three seasons. He will compete for a full-time spot this spring.

Junior Dan Luko (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) made 25 starts in 2025 while classmate David Chandler (Leesburg, Pa./St. John's) has played in 34 career games in the outfield. Junior Caleb Backos (Troy, Mich./Bloomfield Christian) will also compete for an expanded role after playing as a reserve last year.

Sophomore Braeden Coyle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) returns after playing in 25 games as a rookie. Classmates Ben Barnes (Sewickley, Pa./Avonworth) and Ian Valenti (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun Valley) are also contending for time in the outfield.

Several of the outfielders could also be used at DH. Sophomore first baseman John McIntyre (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) will also be in the DH mix after making a pair of starts in 2025.

Like the position player lineup, Grove City's pitching staff features seasoned returners along with opportunities for others to emerge.

Junior left-hander Bryce Trischler (Mars, Pa./Shady Side Academy) returns after leading Grove City with 76 innings pitched in 2025. He went 6-3 with three saves in 14 appearances, earning Honorable Mention All-PAC. He will likely be at or near the top of the starting rotation this spring.

Sophomore Dash Lanzilotta (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) went 4-4 in 10 starts last year and also returns to the rotation. He struck out 54 men in 58.1 innings last year.

Senior Kenny Lavrich (Franklin, Pa./Cranberry) posted a 3-1 record in 12 appearances, which included four starts as a junior. A converted infielder, Lavrich has the inside track to earn a spot in the starting rotation.

Juniors Jack Houston (Vienna, Va./Vienna) and Wil Peters (Mesa, Ariz./Westwood) also return for their third season at the College. Houston recorded two saves last year and pitched in 21 career games. Peters has made seven career appearances.

Both right-handers are competing for spots in the rotation or bullpen.

Sophomore Corey Veverka (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg) returns in the bullpen after making eight relief appearances in 2025.

Several newcomers are also expected to make immediate contributions to the pitching staff this season.

Grove City opens the season February 13-14 with three games at Pfeiffer (N.C.) University. Conference play begins Saturday, March 21 with a home doubleheader against Chatham.